History Of The Association
Sensei Hudson
Gradings
Combinations
History Of The Association
The Shukokai style was founded in 1950 by Chojiro Tani, who studied Shito-Ryu under Kenwa Mabuni.
“Shukokai” means “Way for All,” reflecting the style’s inclusive development while maintaining its traditional roots. Known for its speed, Shukokai uses a relatively high stance to enhance mobility. The Martial Arts Commission of Great Britain stated in its official handbook that “Shukokai punches are the strongest to be found in Karate.”
The style emphasizes controlled contact in competition sparring, but full-power technique practice is made possible through pad work.
Chojiro Tani’s Shukokai was characterized by a distinctive double hip twist, generating power by engaging the large muscles of the upper legs and through rotational movement. However, Shigeru Kimura was not convinced this approach produced the most effective technique. In 1966, he left Japan and spent three years traveling across Africa and Europe, studying and refining his methods. His revised approach maintained the use of strong muscle groups and rotation but increased efficiency by starting from a pre-rotated ready stance, allowing for faster execution.
These refined techniques were adopted by the Shukokai Karate Union, which appointed Kimura as Chief Instructor. In 1980, a three-way split occurred, resulting in the formation of the original Shukokai Karate Union and two other groups, one of which was the Ken Yu Kai Karate Association—translated as “Hands that Move in Harmony”—led by Chief Instructor Terry Pottage.
The Shukokai Karate Association (SKA) was established in 1991 by senior instructors who decided to form an independent organisation. Since then, the SKA has flourished, now comprising over 20 clubs and hundreds of members. The association continues to uphold the teachings of Shigeru Kimura (8th Dan), with whom Malcolm Hudson had the privilege of training for several years before Kimura’s passing.
Sensei Hudson
Malcolm Malcolm Hudson (8th Dan) began training in Karate in January 1975, initially as a member of the Shukokai Karate Union and later with the Ken Yu Kai Karate Association, before founding the Shukokai Karate Association in 1991. He trained regularly with Sensei Shigeru Kimura and earned his 3rd Dan under Kimura’s direct examination.
Sensei Hudson has been very successful in competitions including:
Member of British SKU Champions 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
Member of England SKF team to tour America
Welsh Open Middle Weight Champion 1979
Shukokai British Middleweight Champion 1980
3rd place in Shukokai World Team Championship, New York USA 1981
World Lightweight Shukokai Champion, New York USA 1981
World Overall Champion, New York USA 1981
Ken Yu Kai Middleweight Champion 1983
Lightweight Champion, Buxton Open 1984
Ceased competing in 1987
Gradings
The association follows a structured grading system, progressing from novice through the Kyu grades (10th Kyu to 1st Kyu), and then into the Dan ranks (Black Belts from 1st Dan and upwards). Advancement through each grade requires both sufficient training experience and successful completion of a formal assessment—both criteria must be met before a student can progress.
Assessments are held regularly throughout the year. As expected, earlier grades have less demanding requirements, though these remain appropriate to the student’s level of experience and are only undertaken after a designated minimum training period.
Higher grades must refine their skills over a longer period before attempting more rigorous assessments. To achieve a Black Belt, a student must demonstrate technical knowledge and proficiency in accordance with the standards set out in the association’s official grading syllabus. This includes all three core components of Karate:
- Kihon (basic techniques)
- Kata (formal set sequences)
- Kumite (sparring)
The Shukokai Karate Association’s grading framework is designed around students training twice per week. Titles are also assigned to various Dan grades as follows:
- 1st Kyu and 1st Dan – Sempai (senior)
- 2nd Dan to 4th Dan – Sensei (teacher)
- 5th Dan and above – Shihan (master)
Belt order
10th Kyu – White Belt with Red Stripe
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| Training requirement: | 10 weeks minimum | |||
| A: | Basics in parallel stance (Yoi) | Jodan Zuki, Chudan Zuki | ||
| Blocks | Gedan Barai | |||
| B: | Basics in forward stance (Kamae) | Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri | ||
9th Kyu – Red Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 3 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki | ||
| Blocks | Gedan Barai | |||
| B: | Combinations | 1, 2 | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri | ||
8th Kyu – Yellow Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 3 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | as 9th kyu | ||
| Blocks | Jodan Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 1, 2 | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri | ||
| D: | Kata | Junino Kata – any of 4 blocks | ||
7th Kyu – Orange Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 3 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | as 8th kyu plus Maeken Zuki | ||
| Blocks | Jodan Uke, Shuto Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri | ||
| D: | Kata | Pinan Nidan | ||
| E: | Impact | Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Mae Geri | ||
6th Kyu – Green Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 3 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | as 7th kyu | ||
| Blocks | Jodan Uke, Shuto Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 3, 4, 5 | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri | ||
| D: | Kata | Pinan Sandan | ||
| E: | Impact | Gyaku Zuki, Maeken Zuki, Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri | ||
5th Kyu – Blue Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 4 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | as 6th kyu plus Sekkyaku Zuki | ||
| Blocks | Shuto Uke, Soto Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 4, 5, 6 | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Yoko Geri | ||
| D: | Kata | Pinan Shodan | ||
| E: | Impact | as 6th Kyu plus Oi Zuki | ||
| E: | Sparring | Protective equipment must be worn | ||
4th Kyu – Purple Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 4 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | as 5th kyu plus Ashi Barai | ||
| Blocks | Shuto Uke, Uchi Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 5, 6, 7 | ||
| C: | Kicks | as 5th Kyu | ||
| D: | Kata | Pinan Yondan, plus any previous Kata | ||
| E: | Impact | Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Sekkyaku Zuki, Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Yoko Geri | ||
| E: | Sparring | Protective equipment must be worn | ||
3rd Kyu – Brown Belt
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 6 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Maeken Zuki, Uraken Uchi, Ashi Barai | ||
| Blocks | Gedan Barai, Jodan Uke, Shuto Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 6, 7, 8 | ||
| C: | Kicks | Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri | ||
| D: | Kata | Pinan Godan, plus any previous Kata | ||
| E: | Impact | as 4th Kyu plus Maeken Zuki, Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki, Ashi Barai | ||
| E: | Sparring | Protective equipment must be worn | ||
2nd Kyu – Brown Belt with White Stripe
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 6 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Sekkyaku Zuki, Uraken Uchi, Ashi Barai | ||
| Blocks | Gedan Barai, Jodan Uke, Soto Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 7, 8, 9 | ||
| C: | Kicks | as 3rd Kyu plus Yoko Geri | ||
| D: | Kata | Jiin, plus any previous Katas | ||
| E: | Impact | as 3rd Kyu plus Ushiro Geri. Substitute Jodan Uke for Gedan Barai | ||
| E: | Sparring | Protective equipment must be worn | ||
1st Kyu – Brown Belt with Red Stripe
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 6 months training from last grading | |||
| A: | Basics (Kamae) | as 2nd Kyu plus Maeken Zuki | ||
| Blocks | Shuto Uke, Soto Uke, Uchi Uke | |||
| B: | Combinations | 8, 9, 10 | ||
| C: | Kicks | as 2nd Kyu | ||
| D: | Kata | Annanku, plus any previous Katas | ||
| E: | Impact | as 2nd Kyu plus Uraken Uchi, Ushiro Mawashi Geri. Substitute Shuto Uke for Jodan Uke | ||
| E: | Sparring | Protective equipment must be worn | ||
| Grade: |
Shodan 1st Dan – Black Belt with 1 red tab
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 6 months training from last grading | |||
| Syllabus: | refer to SKA Manual | |||
| Grade: |
Nidan 2nd Dan – Black Belt with 2 Red tabs (yellow stripe)
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 2 years training from last grading | |||
| Syllabus: | refer to SKA Manual | |||
| Grade: |
Sandan 3rd Dan – Black Belt with 3 Red tabs (orange stripe)
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 3 years training from last grading | |||
| Syllabus: | refer to SKA Manual | |||
| Grade: |
Yondan 4th Dan – Black Belt with 4 Red tabs (green stripe)
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| Training requirement: | Minimum 4 years training from last grading | |||
| Syllabus: | refer to SKA Manual | |||
Combinations
Shukokai Karate has within it’s basic techniques a number of set movements known as combinations. In total there are 10 combinations with lowerer grades needing to know the lower numbered combinations and as you progress through the grades you will need proficiency in all the combinations.
10th Kyu – White Belt with red stripe – no combinations
9th Kyu – Red Belt – combinations 1, 2
8th Kyu – Yellow Belt – combinations 1, 2
7th Kyu – Orange Belt – combinations 1, 2, 3
6th Kyu – Green Belt – combinations 3, 4, 5
5th Kyu – Blue Belt – combinations 4, 5, 6
4th Kyu – Purple Belt – combinations 5, 6, 7
3rd Kyu – Brown Belt – combinations 6, 7, 8
2nd Kyu – Brown Belt with white stripe – combinations 7, 8, 9
1st Kyu – Brown Belt with red stripe – combinations 8, 9, 10
1st Dan and above – refer to SKA Manual.
All Combinations start from Standard Stance.
Combination Number 1
Step forward and land. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 2
Project Forward. Right hand Chudan punch. Left hand Thrust. Project Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 3
Project Forward. Change hands, Left hand Jodan punch. Right hand Thrust. Project Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 4
Right leg snap kick and land. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 5
Right hand Chudan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step with the right leg, Left leg snap kick and land. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Right hand Standard Stance. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 6
Step Back. Right hand Shuto block. Left hand Chudan punch. Right hand Thrust. Step forward. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 7
Project forward. Left hand Gedan Block. Right hand Chudan punch. Left hand thrust. Project back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 8
Step forward. Right hand feint, right hand Chudan punch, Right hand thrust (all movements are carried out as you step forward). Step back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 9
Right foot Ashi barai and land forward. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 10
Right foot Mawashi Geri (changing guard hand). Land forward. Left hand Chudan punch. Right hand thrust. Step back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.